Condemn Me Not Read Online Free PDF Page A

teacher, a...” 
Claire dropped the last job from her lips.  She’d almost said ‘manager.’
    “Teresa
is a selfish bitch,” Simone declared flatly.  “It’s a good thing she didn’t
have any children, because she would have ruined their lives.”
    “At
least she knew that about herself,” Claire reluctantly agreed.  But many women
didn’t, she thought.  Many women had kids because it was expected of them, then
tried to hang onto their careers, only to find out later that they weren’t very
good at managing both.  Kids were a full-time commitment and so was a job.  It
was something Claire had accepted going in.  Superwoman was a cartoon character. 
She wasn’t real.
    The
light turned green.  Claire stole one last glance at her friend and thought, Simone
included .  There was no way she could be good at motherhood and money
management—not without help.  Not without someone there to pick up the “slack”
for her.  With a steady push of her foot, Claire accelerated, keeping pace with
the stream of cars around her.  Simone’s someone was Mitchell.  He was her
saving grace when it came to family.  Though considering Mariah’s recent
decision, it didn’t seem like he was doing too well in the child-rearing
department either.  He should have been more clear with Mariah about what it
took to start a business—like a plan, a contract—neither of which the girl had
bothered to secure.  Mitchell also neglected to be frank with her regarding the
downside, the risk.
    Teresa
mentioned allowing the girl to fail, but would Simone and Mitchell be there to
help her move on?  Get back into college and on track with her studies?  Claire
certainly hoped so.
    “Teresa
doesn’t know anything,” Simone grumbled, hugging arms close to her body. 
“She’s not married because no one would have her.”
    “C’mon
now, you don’t mean that, you’re just mad.”  Claire turned onto her street, an
instantaneous relief discharging inside her.  They were almost home.
    “I
do, too.”  Simone flipped her gaze to Claire.  “And why are you taking up for
her?  Do you think it’s true what she said?  Do you actually agree with her?”
    “No,”
Claire hesitated, startled by the hostility boring into her from across the center
console.  The temperature rose by several degrees within the confines of her
vehicle.  Despite the time that had passed, obviously Simone remained hot over
the argument, madder than a wet cat in a dog kennel.  But Claire wasn’t willing
to back down either, and braced herself for the inevitable attack as she
asserted, “But you have to agree with her in the sense that working women can’t
do it all by themselves.  They do need a support network to accomplish it all.”
    “I
don’t.”
    “What
do you call Mitchell?”
    “I
call him my husband, my partner .  He doesn’t help me at work.  He has
nothing to do with my job.”
    Claire
nearly slammed her foot on the brake pedal.  “ Nothing to do with your job ?”
    “Yes,
nothing to do with my job,” she repeated.
    “Simone,”
Claire said, unable to let the statement stand.  “You couldn’t manage your
workload at the office if he didn’t help you manage the load at home.”  Simone couldn’t
have family and career without Mitchell, the same as Jim couldn’t have it
without her.
    Simone
balked.  “Manage the load at home?  Since when is that solely my
responsibility?  It’s his house, too.”
    “You
know what I mean.”
    “No,
I don’t believe I do.”  Simone slid a hand along the passenger door frame,
resting her arm along the window as she fastened on Claire.  “Why don’t you
explain exactly what you mean?”
    At
Simone’s brittle tone, Claire held steady.  She would not be intimidated from
speaking her truth.  “Mitchell keeps the house running so you can work the long
hours it takes to be a success.  He’s there every day and without him, you
wouldn’t be where you are